A moderated graded trekking

Annapurna Basecamp is a moderate graded trekking, with a maximum altitude of 4130 m (13, 546ft) at the Base Camp; suitable for anyone with normal health conditions. In average, we walk from 6 to 7 hours and some days are longer or shorter. At an altitude 3000m or higher, we are likely to experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness that includes headache, dizziness, breathlessness, disorientation mild symptoms but with prior preparation and proper acclimatization, the chances of getting sick can be minimized. Our itinerary is carefully designed and tested by our experienced guides and so they allow you proper acclimatization.

If you are not optimally conditioned, it’s advisable to begin preparation several weeks ahead of the trip. We advise you to do some power exercises like jogging, cycling, swimming etc for at least 1 hour daily about 2-3 months ahead of the trip that keeps you fit and build stamina in your body as well as increase your confidence level and of course minimize the chances of getting acute mountain sickness. We have to avoid dehydrating and so we advise you to consume 3-4 liters of water daily and also liquid food in meals. Not sure if it has any medical grounds, but our Sherpa guides recommends garlic soup to treat the effects of the altitude. Porters or pack animals will carry all gear and camp supplies (if you are taking camping trip), leaving members free to carry only a light day pack, No technical climbing or other special abilities are required.

Mountain lodge accommodation

While camping is the way of enjoying trekking in true sense, it’s also a costly arrangement as a good number of support staff (Guide, Cook, Cook Helpers, Sherpa and Porters) has to be hired and we have to bring camping and kitchen gears and food supplies and fuels, being transported all the way from Kathmandu all along. But Annapurna Base Camp trails are abundant with family run lodges, also known as Tea Houses and so its really not necessary to do the camping. Using lodge accommodation available along the trekking route makes the trip relatively easier and cheaper.

On this trip of Annapurna Base Camp, you will sleep in the local lodges and eat your meals in the dining hall of those lodges. Annapurna Base Camp lodges or guesthouses are primitive and are provided with dorm style rooms with futon or foam mattress and quilt or blankets. You will use common squat toilet. Hot shower, if available in the lodge is a luxury and you need to pay extra for that. The lodges are local family run businesses, father being the manager, the mother the cook and children are the servers. Staying in guesthouses gives us opportunity to mingle with the locals and fellow international trekkers like yourself.

Meals during trekking.

Annapurna Base Camp trekking cost includes standard breakfast, lunch and three course dinners, followed by tea or coffee. Meals are cooked by the lodge family. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive. Most Annapurna teahouses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate and soft drinks (extra cost) and in some areas you will find fresh fruit in season. You can buy packaged water (bottled mineral water) from local lodge and shop en route or you can also ask your guide to fill up your water bottle with boiled water and treat with water purification pills. Some lodges charge extra for filling up bottle for the cost of boiling the water.

Besides, you are advised to bring dietary supplements such as vitamins, energy bars, dry fruits etc to munch along the trail.

Guide and support staff.

Your Guide for the Annapurna Base Camp trekking will be a certified, English speaking local who will accompany you as from Kathmandu. All Highland Asia Guides are trained by KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project) on first aid, environment, conservation and biodiversity. As required by law, all our trekking guides are licensed by Tourism Department’s academy. Most importantly, they are professional, helpful and always willing to provide you with personalized care and services.

A typical day of the trekking

Your guide escorts you along the trail, selects the lodge for accommodation and help you choosing your meal and deals with local bureaucracy whenever required. As you pay all trekking charges in advance, the guide will take care of the bills. We provide one porter for each two trekkers and he carries 15 kilograms. Porters are locally hired at the village where your trek begins from, if not hired from Kathmandu. The guide and porters will have good clothing and boots to survive the harsh weather of the mountains.

Each morning after packing our bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the day's walk. All we need to carry is a small day pack containing water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain jacket and warm jumper, just in case. The porters will carry the rest of our gear for us.

After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon's walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free.

After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day's adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.

The best season for trekking in the Annapurnas.

Autumn ( Mid Sep-Mid Nov)

This is the best season for trekking in the Annapurnas because of the best visibility, the freshest air and perhaps the clearest skies. The weather is excellent and the mountain views are tantalizing. This is also the time the two major Nepali festivals Dashain and Tihar fall in. International airfare is also cheaper during this time.

Hind side, this is also the busiest tourist season in Nepal. That means hotels and lodges are full and transport and good guides are booked. If you plan to travel during the fall, please place your reservation well ahead of time, at least 4-5 months before your travel date.

Spring ( March-May).

This is the second preferred trekking season. The weather is still pleasant. Rhododendrons and wild flowers will be in blossom but mountain views may not be as great as in the fall time.

 

Summer ( Mid June-Mid September)

Please avoid the rainy months of mid June through Mid-September for trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp. The regions receives heavy rain during this time of the year. The trail will be slippery with abundant leeches, streams will be in their highest level and trails can be covered with mud slides or even washed down by the avalanches.

Winter ( Mid Nov-Feb)
Unless you are an experienced trekker, avoid trekking during Winter as well. There can be heavy snow fall in the higher elevation and of course, it will be extremely cold.

Packing List

Packing list can vary according to your needs, interests, duration of the trip and the season you are trekking in. The items listed below are essential for Annapurna Base Camp Trekking. Please, note that each two trekkers are provided with one porter and you are advised to limit the weight 15 kg (33 lb) per porter.

Highland Asia Travel provides one duffel bag for your personal clothing and gears which is for you to keep as souvenir. We will also provide you a sleeping bag and a down jacket which you need to return after the trip completes. But, please feel free if you want to bring your own.

During trekking, we recommend LAYERED CLOTHING! This means that the majority of your clothing can be worn in layers, so that you can put on more clothing if it is cold or take off layers as it gets warmer. For example, it is much better to wear a T-shirt, cotton shirt (long sleeve), light sweater and windbreaker than to wear one bulky parka. This idea also comes in handy when you are packing and trying to keep under the weight limit.
Please, use the list below for a guideline.

Clothing:

T-shirts- Light and expedition weight thermal tops- Fleece jacket or pullover- Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket- Down vest and/or jacket (provided by us)- Under Garments- Hiking shorts- Lightweight cotton long pants- Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms- Fleece or wool pants (seasonal)- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants

Footwear:

Thin, lightweight inner socks- Thick, warm wool hiking socks- Hiking boots with spare laces- Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals) Gaiters for hiking in winter to the base camp

 

Hands:

Lightweight gloves- Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer (seasonal)

Headwear:

Sun hat or scarf- Light balaclava or warm fleece hat- Sunglasses with UV protection.

Accessories:

Sleeping bag rated to 0°F ( Provided by us)- Head band light (e.g. Petzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries- Trekking Bags/Duffel bag (Provided by us)- Basic First Aid Kit ( Some are provided by us but bring your own if you have any special needs)- Large plastic bags - Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)- Trekking Poles - Water bottles - Toiletries (Small wash towel, Toilet papers etc)- Ear Plug (Helpful if your room mate is snoring or your neighbors party or chat all night!. Rooms are no soundproof.

Toiletries:

1 medium sized quick drying towel- Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)- Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)- Deodorants- Nail clippers- Face and body moisturizer- Feminine hygiene products- Small mirror.

Personal Hygiene:

Wet wipes (baby wipes)- Tissue /toilet roll- Anti bacterial hands wash

 

First Aid
Diamox (for altitude)-Advil-Aleve-Vicks Vapor Rub-Sunscreen-chap stick-anti nause-antimmodium-band aids blister-band aids-eye drops-advil cold and dinusnasal-moisurizer-q tips-tweezers-tiger balm etc.

 

Electronics
1 SLR camera with 3 extra batteries (recharging batteries in the mountain can cost money)-1 Point and shoot camera-1 Video Camera-1 solar charger (For places where there is no electricity or cost money)-Chargers with belkin mini surge and adapter.

Other items good to have:

Binoculars- Reading book- Trail Map/Guide book- Journal & Pen- Walkman- Pencils and small notebooks- Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble- Swimming customs .

 

Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, pre-trip and post trip ad ons

Accommodations in Kathmandu and Pokhara are not included. You need to stay in Kathmandu minimum 1 night before the trekking. If you take morning flight from Kathmandut to Pokhara, you should be able to start the trekking the same day and if you take road travel (5-6 hours), you need to plan to stay that night in Pokhara and commence the trek the following day. Ideally, 03 days in Kathmandu and 02 days in Pokhara allow you sufficient time to visit the local highlights.

Budget accommodation (1-2 star) costs about $35-40, mid range hotel $70-80, first class properties $ 110-$120 and deluxe and top end properties about $160-$350. You can also consider a 2 nights/3 days extenstion to Chitwan National Park for jungle safari rides.

Note on Itinerary

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed; it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Booking and Cancellation

When you are sure you are traveling, please don't delay in booking. The internal flights are the key factor in determining whether your trip can be realized or not. A deposit of US$200 is requested along with complete trip application form and passport copies.

Balance payment is due 60 days prior to your departure. Depending on the number of applicants, we may set an early payment date. Credit card payment attracts additional fee.

Cancellation fee

• 90 days prior departure: Administrative fee US$ 50 per person.
• 60-89 day's prior departure: US$ 250 or 25% of the land cost whichever is higher.
• 45 days to 59 days prior departure: US$ 450 or 50% of the land cost whichever is higher. 30 days to 44 days prior departure: US$ 600 or 75% of the land cost whichever is higher.
• Less than 30 days: 100%

Nepal Visa

You can obtain Nepal visa beforehand from any Nepali embassies or consulates abroad or wait until you arrive at Kathmandu airport or any other port of entry to Nepal. You will need to complete  visa application form and attach a passport size photograph. Visa fee costs US$ 25 for 15 days and $45 for 30 days multiple entry.

Highland Asia Travel

We are an active adventure travel company, based in Minneapolis, USA with destination management offices in Kathmandu, Thimphu and Lhasa. We are BBB acredited business and an active member of American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). We have set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Our managers and guides have more than 15 years of experience in organizing and leading adventure trips in the highlands of Asia. For us travel is not just a business, but a way of life.

Travel Protection Plan

While we plan and do our best to make your trip smooth and seamless, there may be chances of unforeseen events and conditions such as illness, accident, inclement weather, and flight cancellation or missed connection or loss of baggage etc. that may cause interruption or delay or total cancellation of your trip putting your hard earned travel investment in jeopardy. It’s also possible that you may need medical assistance, emergency evacuation or medical transportation when you get ill or involve in an accident when you are traveling in remote areas. Highland Asia’s Tour cost does not cover any of these expenses or losses and so we strongly recommend you that you should protect yourself and your travel investment against those unfavorable conditions.